Some Bone Markers in Children with Type I Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Diabetes mellitus and osteoporosis are chronic diseases with great socioeconomic consequences, mainly due to the late complications and consequences disabilities. Type I diabetes mellitus (DM I) has been related to a reduced bone mineral density (BMD) in childhood. Objective: In order to evaluate alteration in the bone metabolism in type I diabetes we measured a urine osteocalstic marker for bone resorption; deoxypyridinoline (DPD) as well as, the circulating osteoblastic markers; serum osteocalcin and osteoprotegerin (OPG). Further more, we evaluated their relation to the disease duration and severity. The influenced of sex and age on bone health were also assessed. Methods: Cross-sectional case-control study was conducted on forty children with DMI and twenty control subjects matched for age and sex with similar socioeconomic and cultural status. Serum levels of osteocalcin and osteoprotegerin were measured, also urinary levels of deoxypyridinoline (DPD) was measured. Results: Children with DM I showed lower serum levels of osteoclacin and OPG and a rise in urinary level of (DPD) in comparison with control subjects. Conclusion: The osteoblast function significantly decreased in diabetic patients, which one best is characterized as a maturation defect. Altered bone mineral acquisition in children with DMI may limit peak bone mass acquisition and increase the risk of osteoprosis in later life. So the clinical management of diabetic osteopenia would become important for the preservation of quality of life in diabetic patients.